Hippeastrum plant named &#39;Ruby Star&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hippeastrum  interspecific hybrid plant named ‘RUBY STAR’ particularly characterized by star-shaped flower, measuring about 18 cm to 20 cm in length and about 14 to 17 cm in diameter, and with a unique, color pattern of primarily dark red (RHS 53 B) with a yellow-greenish (RHS 145B) stripes and greyed-purple (RHS 183B) veining.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Hippeastrum Herb.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘RUBY STAR’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct interspecific hybridvariety of Hippeastrum, botanically known as Hippeastrum Herb., syn.Amaryllis, of the Amaryllidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘RUBY STAR’. The Hippeastrum genus is native totropical and subtropical regions of South America and the Caribbean, andincludes more than 80 different species and several hundred hybrids.

The new Hippeastrum ‘RUBY STAR’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventors, Dorit Sandler-Ziv, Corneliu Fintea,Aurel Ion, Avner Cohen, Marina Baizerman and Ahuva Daus, in Bet Dagan,Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a newHippeastrum cultivar with excellent ornamental characteristics, adaptedto bulb production under Israeli climatic conditions and suitable forboth cut flower and pot production worldwide.

The new Hippeastrum ‘RUBY STAR’ originated from a cross made by theinventors in 2000 in Bet Dagan, Israel. The female or seed parent is theunpatented, wild-type Hippeastrum papillio designated WT30. The male orpollen parent is the unpatented, interspecific Hippeastrum hybriddesignated 97/4 (H. vittatum ‘WHITE’×wild-type H. cybister designatedWT40). The new Hippeastrum ‘RUBY STAR’ was selected by the inventors asa single flowering plant from the progeny of the stated cross in acontrolled environment in 2003 in Bet Dagan, Israel.

Asexual propagation of the new Hippeastrum ‘RUBY STAR’ using the“twin-scaling” method (division of the mother bulb into about 12vertical segments which are subsequently subdivided into 5 to 6twin-scale units) was first performed in September, 2004, in Bet Dagan,Israel. The twin-scale units are dipped for 15 minutes in 0.2% Benletand 0.5% Marpan to prevent fungal infection, then the segments are airdried for 3-4 hours and placed in moist Vermiculite no. 2 (8% to 10%moisture) and incubated at 22° C. to 24° C. for 3 to 4 months. Theresulting bulblets are planted in coco-peat and Tuff 0.8 (80:20%) andgrown for 2 years until they flower for the first time. Of the twinscales first propagated in September, 2004, the resulting bulbs firstflowered in the winter of 2007, and demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualpropagation. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘RUBY STAR’, which in combinationdistinguish this Hippeastrum as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. star-shaped flower, measuring about 18 cm to 20 cm in length        and about 14 to 17 cm in diameter, and with a unique, color        pattern of primarily dark red (RHS 53 B) with a yellow-greenish        (RHS 145B) stripes and greyed-purple (RHS 183B) veining.

Plants of the new Hippeastrum cultivar ‘RUBY STAR’ differ from plants ofthe female or seed parent, the unpatented, wild-type Hippeastrumpapillio designated WT30, in the following characteristics described inTable 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent New Cultivar H. papillio WT30 Characteristic ‘RUBYSTAR’ (unpatented) Plant Height 45 cm to 70 cm 18 cm to 24 cm Number offlowers per 4 to 5 2 to 3 inflorescence Outer tepal shape OvateOblanceolate Outer tepal, Upper side Red Whitish Main color Outer tepal,Upper side Dark greyed-purple Maroon red Secondary vein

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar to the new Hippeastrum ‘RUBY STAR’ is the Hippeastrum hybrid(leopoldii-type) ‘Red Lion’ (patented, grant number unknown), anddiffers from the new Hippeastrum ‘RUBY STAR’ in the followingcharacteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar ‘Red Lion’ Characteristic ‘RUBYSTAR’ (patented) Plant height 45 cm to 70 cm 38 cm to 60 cm Number ofstems 1 to 3 2 to 3 per bulb per year Scape length 45 cm to 60 cm 38 cmto 50 cm Number of flowers 4 to 5 2 to 4 per inflorescence Flower ShapeStar shape Rounded Flower length 18 cm to 20 cm 16 cm to 18 cm FlowerThroat Covered with numerous Covered with green-white and greyed-numerous white purple hairs and yellowish hairs Outer tepal, Upper Red,RHS 53 B Red, RHS 43 A side Main color Outer tepal, Under Red withyellow-green Glossy red with short side Main color stripes greenishveins Filament Color of upper part Very light green Red Color of lowerpart Yellow-green Red Anther color Yellow-greenish Light yellowFruit/Seed None Present

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Hippeastrum cultivar ‘RUBY STAR’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘RUBY STAR’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up side view perspective of the typical fully openflowers produced by ‘RUBY STAR’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up side view comparison of (1) the typical fullyopen flowers produced by ‘RUBY STAR’ (top) to (2) the typical fully openflowers produced by the female parent, the unpatented, wild-typeHippeastrum papillio designated WT30.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up side view comparison of (1) the typical fullyopen flowers produced by ‘RUBY STAR’ (top) to (2) the typical fully openflowers produced by the male or pollen parent, the unpatentedinterspecific Hippeastrum hybrid designated 97/4 (H. vittatum‘WHITE’×wild-type H. cybister designated WT40).

FIG. 4 shows a close-up side view comparison of (1) the typical fullyopen flowers produced by ‘RUBY STAR’ (top) to (2) the typical fully openflowers produced by the unpatented, wild-type Hippeastrum cybister(WT40) (one of the cultivars crossed to produce the male or pollenparent, the unpatented interspecific Hippeastrum hybrid designated97/4.)

FIG. 5 shows a close-up side view comparison of (1) the typical fullyopen flowers produced by ‘RUBY STAR’ (top) to (2) the typical fully openflowers produced by the commercial cultivar, Hippeastrum hybrid(leopoldii-type) ‘Red Lion’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Hippeastrum cultivar ‘RUBY STAR’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

Mother bulbs of ‘RUBY STAR’ (about 28 cm to 30 cm in circumference) arecut into 12 vertical segments which are subsequently subdivided into 5to 6 twin-scale units. The twin-scale units are dipped for 15 minutes in0.2% Benlet and 0.5% Marpan to prevent fungal infection, then thetwin-scale units are air dried for 3-4 hours and placed in moistVermiculite no. 2 (8-10% moisture) and incubated at 22° C. to 24° C. for3-4 months. The resulting bulblets are planted and grown in raised,heated soil beds (soil temperature maintained at an average temperatureof about 20° C. to 22° C.)in coco-peat and Tuff 0.8 (80:20%) and grownfor 2 years until they flower for the first time.

Plants of ‘RUBY STAR’ have been grown in an insect-proof greenhouse,covered with a permanent polycarbonate roof with movable polyethylenecurtains, and under 50% shading. Drip irrigation is administered at80-100 m3/ha and a liquid fertilize is applied of (NPK 5:3:8) 50 ppm.Plants of ‘RUBY STAR’ are grown with (1) an average winder airtemperature of about 12° C. to 25° C. during the day and about 6° C. to12° C. during the evening and (2) an average summer air temperature ofabout 22° C. to 38° C. during the day and about 18° C. to 22° C. duringthe evening. Plants of ‘RUBY STAR’ reach full growth about 6 to 10 weeksafter planting in the summer season of cured bulbs.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 1986 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in full sunlight in Bet Dagan, Israel. The age ofthe ‘RUBY STAR’ plants described is about 6 to 10 weeks after plantingof a cured bulb in the summer season.

-   Classification:-   Botanical: Hippeastrum Herb.-   Parentage:-   Female or seed parent: Unpatented, wild-type Hippeastrum papillio    designated WT30.-   Male or pollen parent: Unpatented, interspecific Hippeastrum hybrid    designated 97/4 (H. vittatum ‘WHITE’×wild-type H. cybister    designated WT40).-   Propagation:-   Type: “Twin-scaling” method (division of the mother bulb into    vertical segments and twin-scale units).-   Roots:    -   -   Habit and description.—Fleshy; inserted around basal plate            of bulb.        -   Length.—Up to 20 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 2 mm to 4 mm.        -   Color.—Off-white, RHS 158C.-   Plant:    -   -   Appearance.—Perennial, herbaceous; 1-3 scapes developing            sequentially with a complement of 5 to 8 leaves.        -   Growth habit.—Erect.        -   Habit.—Leaves are slightly arching and scapes vertical.        -   Vigor.—Strong, fast.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, 2 years of growing            time are required to produce a flowering plant. Plants of            ‘RUBY STAR’ reach full growth about 6 to 10 weeks after            planting of cured bulbs in late autumn.        -   Size at maturity.—Height: About 45 cm to 70 cm. Spread:            About 50 cm to 60 cm.-   Bulb (described after harvesting and curing, before planting):    -   -   Structure.—Tunicated bulb composed entirely of enlarged leaf            bases.        -   Overall shape.—Spherical.        -   Shape in cross section.—Rounded.        -   Shape in longitudinal section.—Elliptical to oblate.        -   Length.—About 7.0 cm to 9.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 9.5 cm to 10.2 cm.        -   Texture.—Irregular.        -   Color.—Of flase: Yellow-white, closest to RHS 158C Of dry            scale: Greyed-orange, RHS 165B.        -   Harvest time of bulbs.—Beginning of August in Bet Dagan,            Israel. Lifted bulbs are dipped for 15-20 minutes in 0.2%            Benlet and 0.5% Marpan solution and then air dried for 10            days.        -   Storage time.—Stored in 9° C. during the second half of            August until first half of November (10-12 weeks) in Bet            Dagan, Israel.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement and attachment.—Basal from scale; single.        -   Quantity per plant.—Typically 5 to 8.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Linear.        -   Apex shape.—Acute.        -   Base shape.—Parallel.        -   Shape of cross-section.—V-shape.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Margin undulation.—None.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth; medium glossiness Under            surface: Glabrous; very strong glossiness.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 55 cm to 65 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 70 mm to 80 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper Surface: Dark green, RHS 137B;            Under Surface: Dark green, RHS 137C.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Parallel, inconspicuous venation.-   Inflorescence description:-   Appearance: One umbel per scape with 4 to 5 single, star-shaped    flowers that open sequentially and are symmetrically arranged in a    horizontal plant around center of umbel.-   Natural blooming period: In spring in Bet Dagan, Israel.-   Flowering response time: After planting cured bulb, plants typically    flower within about 6 to 10 weeks.-   Flowering longevity: On the plant: about 8 to 12 days, depending on    temperature; As cut flower: about 6 to 9 days.-   Inflorescence fragrance: None.-   Inflorescence type: Umbel.-   Umbel size:    -   -   Height.—About 15 cm to 20 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 20 cm to 23 cm.-   Quantity of flower buds and flowers per umbel: About 4 to 6.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Shape.—Broad, elliptic.        -   Length.—About 8 cm to 10 cm.        -   Width.—About 3 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Outer side of bract: Ground color, yellow-green,            between RHS 145A and RHS 145B, changing towards opening of            the flower into greyed-purple, RHS 185 A. Inner side of            bract: Ground color, greyed-purple, RHS 185 A with            yellow-green, between RHS 145A and RHS 145B, central veins.-   Scape:    -   -   Appearance.—Erect, leafless, hollow.        -   Aspect.—Erect.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Twisting.—Slightly twisted towards flower.        -   Shape in cross-section.—Elliptical.        -   Length.—About 45 cm to 60 cm.        -   Diameter.—Upper Part: About 24 mm to 26 mm Middle Part:            About 26 mm to 29 mm Basal Part: About 34 mm to 35 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Glaucosity.—Strong.        -   Color.—Dark green, RHS 137C.        -   Intensity of anthocyanin at base.—Medium.-   Flower:-   Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3 days after tepal    separation; all flowers open per umbel in about 8 to 14 days.-   Attitude: Slightly outward.-   Shape: Star-shaped.    -   -   Length.—About 18 cm to 20 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 14 cm to 17 cm.        -   Throat.—Covered with numerous green-white, RHS 157D, and            greyed-purple, RHS 185B, hairs.-   Tepals:    -   -   Number and arrangement.—Six tepals that are trimerous,            slightly overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. An outer            whorl of 3 tepals and an inner whorl of 3 tepals.        -   Outer tepals.—Overall shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute with slight            twisting of tip. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire with medium            strong undulation.        -   Length.—About 10 cm to 13 cm.        -   Width.—About 50 mm to 60 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: smooth; Under surface: smooth. Color            (Mature).—Upper surface: Main color: red, RHS 53B; Middle            zone: yellow-green, RHS 145A; and Secondary vein, dark            greyed-purple, RHS 185A Under surface: Main color, red, RHS            53B, with yellow-green stripes, RHS 145B; and Middle zone,            dark greyed-purple, RHS 183B.-   Inner tepals:    -   -   Description.—One central lower tepal and two lateral tepals.        -   Central tepal.—Number: 1 Overall shape: Elliptical. Apex:            Acute with no twisting of tip. Base: Acute Margin: Entire            with weak undulation.        -   Length.—About 10 cm to 11 cm.        -   Width.—About 28 mm to 30 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: smooth; Under surface: smooth.        -   Color (Mature).—Upper surface: Main color: red, between RHS            53B and RHS 53C; Middle zone: yellow-green, between RHS 145B            and RHS 145C; and Secondary vein: dark greyed-purple, RHS            185B Under surface: Main color, very light yellow-green, RHS            154D; Middle zone: dark greyed-purple, RHS 184B; and            Secondary vein: very light yellow-green, RHS 154D, and light            red, RHS 53D.        -   Lateral tepal.—Number: 2 Overall shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute            with slight twisting of tip. Base: Almost right angle            Margin: Entire with medium strong undulation.        -   Length.—About 9 cm to 11 cm.        -   Width.—About 40 mm to 45 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: smooth; Under surface: smooth.        -   Color (Mature).—Upper surface: Main color: red, RHS 53B;            Middle zone: basal part, yellow-green, RHS 145B, and apical            part, dark greyed-purple, RHS 185A; and Secondary vein: dark            greyed-purple, RHS 185A Under surface: Main color, red, RHS            53B, and yellow-green stripes, RHS 145B; Middle zone: dark            greyed-purple, RHS 183B; and Secondary vein: dark            greyed-purple, RHS 185A.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Attitude of flower.—Semi upright.        -   Length.—About 45 mm to 60 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 6 to 7 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Green, with strong anthocyanin over color.-   Reproductive organs:-   Androecium:    -   -   Stamen.—Number: 6. Arrangement: Appressed to lowest tepal,            distal ends upwardly curved.        -   Anthers.—Color: Yellow-green, RHS 150D, in unripe stage;            Brown, RHS 200A, in ripe stage. Shape: Elongated. Length:            About 8 mm to 10 mm.        -   Filaments.—Length: About 90 mm to 105 mm. Diameter: About 2            mm to 3 mm. Color: Upper part: Very light yellow-green, RHS            145D; Lower part: Yellow-green, RHS 145B.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Abundant. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 145A.-   Gynoecium:    -   -   Pistils.—Quantity: 1 Length: About 10 mm to 13 mm        -   Stigmas.—Shape: Three-lobed. Color: Very light yellow-green,            RHS 145D.        -   Style.—Length: About 10 mm to 13 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm            Color: Upper part: Very light yellow-green, RHS 145D, with            some anthocyanin; Lower part: Light yellow-green, RHS 145B.        -   Ovary.—Color: Green, with strong anthocyanin over color.-   Fruit/seed: None.-   Disease/pest resistance: None tested or observed.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: None tested or observed.

1. A new and distinct Hippeastrum interspecific hybrid plant named ‘RUBYSTAR’, as illustrated and described herein.